Energy Efficient Doors
Though doors have less impact than windows on home energy bills,
it may be worth to equate the use of
storm doors, or the energy
efficiency of exterior doors,
patio doors or
garage doors.
Older doors – particularly older
exterior doors - are often energy inefficient, and if this is
your case, replacing them might be a good investment, expressed
in lower heating and cooling bills.
If you're building a new home, take also into account the doors:
buy energy-efficient entry doors and pay attention to glass
doors and garage doors.
Interior wood doors
When purchasing wood doors, do not
forget that their wood can be harvested in an unsustainable way,
contributing to forest destruction and climate change. To avoid
it, prefer doors made of certified wood.
Garage doors
Garage doors may have a high
impact on the thermal comfort of your garage or even of your
home – if your garage is attached to your home.
Patio doors (and screen doors)
Patio doors are usually
energy-inefficient. But not necessarily: thermal breaks, E-low glass
and swinging doors (instead of sliding doors) can make a small miracle.
Storm doors
A storm door may save energy by
reducing air leakage through spaces around the existing door. Or
also by creating an insulated air space…
See, for details on storm doors:
Storm doors
Preventing Heat Losses
Heat may be lost through the door core and frame, through
leakages around the door, and through glass in the case of patio
doors or doors with windows and glass elements.
A high energy efficient door can reduce dramatically all these
sources of heat loss.
In some cases, storm doors, airlock vestibules, windbreaks and
location of the door (out of the path of prevailing winds)
are also factors or options you may consider.
The glass element of the doors
Make sure that
the eventual glass components of your doors are double or
triple-paned. And that the glass is
a
low-emittance (low-E) type.
See, for details: Low-E glasses
Frames and core materials
Door materials have a big impact on heat flow. Metal-clad
doors are more efficient than solid wooden doors. Highly
efficient exterior doors are usually made of fiberglass, wood cladding,
and steel (garage and entry doors) with polyurethane foam or other insulation layer.
See:
Garage doors
Exterior doors
Weatherstripping and sealing
Energy-efficient doors are insulated and tightly sealed to
prevent air from leaking through or around them. Make sure your
doors are properly insulated and have door sweeps at the bottom to
prevent air leaks. In some cases, insulated storm doors are also
helpful, since they may provide an additional barrier to leaking
air.
See, for details:
Storm doors
Exterior doors
Efficiency rating
Energy Star labeled doors
are a warranty of quality. When selecting doors, check warranties,
and take into account their energy efficiency.
To get the most out of a
door, have it installed by a competent professional, according
to manufacturer instructions.
See, for information on tax credits:
Windows and doors tax
credits and rebates
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